LAND OF THE GEM. CANVAS VILLAGE. 8 YEARS AGO.
The day begins on a bustling street: The houses are simple, somewhat rustic, and the village is adorned with red and white streamers on every corner. People are preparing for a celebration; there's a lot of noise, and the commotion fills the streets.
Two children run cheerfully towards the festival. They appear somewhat unkempt, with a scruffy look about them. They each have Crystals floating alongside them, glowing a luminous white, leaving a trail of light as they move.
"Hurry up! You're going to miss it! The festival's about to start," says one of them.
"I'm coming! I want to see it too," replies his friend, running close behind.
The children arrive at a crowd of people gathered along the main avenue. Everyone has Crystals of different colors hovering beside them. Confetti and streamers rain down from the sky. Several guards, dressed in red attire reminiscent of the uniforms of the British royal defense forces, march in formation, escorting someone with Black Crystals floating by their shoulders.
The children push their way to the front row, squeezing through gaps and dodging elbows. With their faces lit up, they gaze in awe at the grandeur of the bodyguards.
"The new Chosen One came to visit the village. He defeated the previous one and claimed his throne. I have to meet him no matter what!" one of the boys exclaims, gripping the barricade tightly and leaning forward as much as possible.
"Have you seen the guards? They look so impressive!" says his friend, equally thrilled.
The trumpeters sound in unison, announcing the arrival of someone important, and the crowd bursts into cheers. The Chosen One's chancellor appears: a stout, elderly man with a monocle and a tuxedo. Clearing his throat, he speaks in a booming voice.
"Citizens of Canvas Village! Please give a warm welcome to the new Chosen One of the Land of the Gem!" the chancellor shouts at the top of his lungs. "He is now the bearer of the Two-Tone Crystal and the new pillar of our nation! Everyone, behold…!"
Walking behind the chancellor is a man: tall, with a headband that flutters in the wind. A crimson robe covers his entire body, giving him a regal appearance. He exudes an ominous aura that draws everyone's gaze.
"Arthur Magnius!!"
Magnius, or rather the Chosen One, is an athletic-looking man around 21 years old, with tanned skin, short cyan hair, honey-colored eyes, and elegant clothing. Floating beside him is a white Crystal streaked with red.
As he walks, the crowd applauds and whistles. Magnius waves warmly, his smile radiant.
"Hello, everyone! It's a pleasure to meet you!"
The children's attention is locked on Magnius, their faces filled with wonder. It's rare to see a Chosen One in the rural parts of the Land of the Gem. They seldom appear unless there's a change in title. When that happens, the new champion tours the country to introduce themselves—a tradition celebrated in grand style.
"Look! It's the Chosen One! The real one!"
"Wow! I've never seen a Crystal with those colors before."
The celebration continues, but the crowd's mood shifts as an annoyance emerges: someone small is pushing their way to the front. A tiny figure weaves through the legs of the crowd, determined to secure a spot in the front row at all costs.
"Hey! You stepped on me! Watch where you're going!"
"Who is that girl?"
"Someone stop her! She's cutting in line!"
The crowd murmurs as the little intruder forces her way forward, pushing and shoving with no regard for whom she steps on. Her determination burns fiercely.
"The day has finally come—it's my moment!" the young girl thinks to herself.
At last, the small figure bursts from the throng and leaps over the barricade, planting herself squarely in front of Magnius, under the bewildered stares of everyone.
"You! Chosen One! Stop right there!" she shouts.
The music halts. All eyes turn to the brazen girl who defied security. She is none other than Geal: a 10-year-old known around town for her missing tooth. Blonde and green-eyed, her face, arms, and legs are dirty; her blouse is tattered, her shorts are worn, and one of her sandals is broken.
Standing firmly, Geal spreads her legs wide and clenches her fists. She straightens her back, trying to appear as "menacing" as possible.
"Fight me!!!" she bellows, full of confidence.
The crowd recoils at her demand, even more so when they notice Geal's Crystal is white—the weakest of all.
"I'm going to take that Crystal from you and become the new Chosen One!"
The murmurs grow louder, but Geal doesn't waver—until a guard yanks her by the ear.
"Hey, kid! You can't interrupt the festival! This is an important celebration for the Chosen One! Show some respect!"
Geal pokes the guard in the eye, forcing him to release her, but two more guards quickly surround her and grab her arms.
"We're taking you out of here, you meddlesome brat!"
"Where are your parents? We'll bring you to them so they can teach you some manners."
"Let me go!"
Magnius, noticing the commotion, steps in. With a calm gesture, he orders the guards to stop.
"Hey, gentlemen, it's okay. Let me talk to her, please," Magnius says.
The guards instantly comply with the Chosen One's command.
"Yes, sir!"
Magnius approaches Geal slowly. The guards part to let him through. Geal furrows her brow, puffing up her chest to appear tougher, unbothered by how much taller the Chosen One is compared to her.
"So… you want to be like me, huh?" Magnius asks kindly. "What's your name?"
"I'm Geal, and I'm way stronger than you! Fight me if you dare, coward!"
Magnius chuckles softly at her outburst. He kneels down and places a gentle hand on her head, radiating a calm and trustworthy aura. There's no hostility in him, only amusement.
"I'm sorry… but you're a few springs too young to face me. You're a very spirited little girl, Geal."
Standing again, Magnius tilts his head, the sunlight casting a heroic glow over him.
"But if you truly want to challenge my throne, I'll be waiting for you! Train hard! Become strong! If you work diligently and push yourself, one day, you might just get the chance to fight me."
Geal's eyes light up with excitement, and a wide smile spreads across her face. The Chosen One himself had just inspired her.
"I look forward to seeing you again, little Geal."
This moment planted the dream of becoming the Chosen One deep in young Geal's heart. And thus, her story began...
*
Several years pass. Deep in a forest under a starlit sky, we see Geal, now older, doing push-ups in the rain. Thunder roars, and she is completely soaked, but she doesn't stop.
"Inspired by her hero's words, Geal began training every single day to become the strongest in her village.
It was common to see her running along a steep dirt path leading to the forest, where she exercised. Her body would get covered in dirt, and even when she was out of breath, she pushed forward like a champion. Her white Crystal left a glowing trail along the path.
She trained tirelessly; with each passing day, her mind and body grew sharper.
Her routine included eating large bowls of rice, doing sit-ups, and sleeping long hours after her grueling workouts. Every day, she pursued her dream with unwavering determination.
However, there was a problem…
While other children had bright, colorful Crystals, Geal's Crystal never changed. It had a strange condition that prevented it from gaining power; it remained permanently white—the weakest color of all.
Despite her intense training, Geal often cried when she was alone. She was the only girl in the village whose Crystal didn't grow stronger. "What's wrong with my Crystal? Why doesn't it change color like everyone else's?" she would wonder.
But she didn't give up! She decided to challenge every boy in the village to a fight.
Since her Crystal didn't grow stronger, Geal learned other ways to fight: mastering an ancient art that would guarantee her victory in any battle, no matter how powerful her opponent was. Geal's true strength is...
The fine art of cheating!!!
Paralyzing potions, sleeping draughts, eye pokes, itching powder—Geal became a master of using it all! This earned her the title of the strongest girl in Canvas Village.
Until the day she had been waiting for finally arrived…"
*
The first rays of morning sunlight pierce through the window of Geal's room. She's lying in bed, still fast asleep, drooling slightly, her hair a tangled mess—just her usual morning routine.
Suddenly, her eyes shoot open, and she sits up, shouting,
"Eighteen years!!!"
Wasting no time, the young heroine springs out of bed, claps her cheeks to wake herself up fully, and brims with excitement. She knows it's going to be a great day.
Geal bounds down the wooden stairs of her modest home, carrying a backpack, boots, and, of course, her White Crystal.
Her house is simple, all wooden and minimalist, with a few family photos scattered around.
"Eighteen years, eighteen years, eighteen years…!!!" she chants, practically bouncing.
In the living room, perched on a wooden beam jutting from the wall, is a peculiar white-feathered bird with wide yellow eyes and a broad beak. This is Uruta, a magical bird, complete with a feather-inscribed pendant around its neck. Unsurprisingly, Uruta can talk.
"Eh… Geal, what's with all the noise so early?" asks Uruta groggily, half-opening its eyes. "You're always loud, but this is too much..."
Geal responds with an excited grin, pointing to a calendar.
"Uruta, today is November 23rd! It's my birthday! I'm finally eighteen—do you know what that means? Now that I'm an adult, I can leave the village on my own! I'm going to find the Chosen One!"
"Oh, so that's it," murmurs Uruta, yawning. "I forgot."
"What?! You forgot? No cake for you this year!" says Geal, feigning offense.
"Wait! I remember now! Cake, please!"
Geal's mother enters the room, a blonde woman with kind but tired eyes. She carries a freshly baked cake, its warmth evident from the steam wafting off it. She smiles warmly at the duo.
"You two are lively so early! That's wonderful," she says, pleased to see them happy. "Come to the table, kids. I made this cake first thing this morning, and it turned out delicious."
Geal nearly falls over her chair as she sits at the small round table. Uruta perches atop her head as her mother places the cake before them—a truly mouthwatering sight.
Geal's father, an older man with teary eyes, sits at the table, dabbing his face with a handkerchief.
"I can't believe my little girl has become a woman," he says, his voice trembling. "I still remember holding her in my arms when she was just a baby."
"Calm down, dear. She'll always be our little girl," says the mother, patting his shoulder.
Eighteen candles flicker atop the cake, and Geal licks her lips in anticipation.
"Go ahead, sweetheart. Make a wish," her mother encourages.
Taking a deep breath, Geal blows out the candles in one mighty gust. But, being someone who can't contain her excitement, she shouts her wish out loud:
"I wish to become the next Chosen One!" she exclaims, standing up and slamming her hands on the table.
Her parents exchange glances, both somewhat puzzled. It seems they haven't heard such a declaration in a long time.
"Geal, are you still set on that?" her father asks, concerned.
"Of course!" Geal replies with her mouth full of cake. "I'm leaving the village today to search for the Chosen One and challenge him to a fight!"
Her parents smile awkwardly, playing along.
"Well, darling, you know you can always come back home if you need to," her mother says.
"Yeah! When you fail, we'll be here waiting!" her father adds, only to get a swift kick under the table from his wife.
In no time, Geal devours several slices of cake and stands up, brimming with energy.
"Mom, Dad, I'm heading to the capital today! When I come back, you'll call me 'The Chosen One.'" Geal blushes slightly. "And once I am, I'll bring back so much money that we won't be poor anymore. I'll give you the life you deserve!"
Her parents smile, this time genuinely, proud of the kind-hearted girl they've raised.
Later that morning, outside their home, Geal bids her parents farewell alongside Uruta, ready to set off.
"Do you have everything, dear?"
"Toothbrush, ID, underwear…?"
"Mom, Dad, I'm an adult now. I can take care of myself," she replies, scratching her neck.
After some tight hugs and more tears from her father, the young heroine waves goodbye as she walks away.
"Bye, Geal! Have lots of adventures!" her mother calls out.
"Come home whenever you want!" her father sobs.
"Goodbye, Mom and Dad! I'll see you soon!"
As she leaves her parents behind, Geal's journey now lies entirely in her hands. The streets of Canvas Village are as lively as ever, bustling with people working and enjoying themselves, giving the place a warm, inviting atmosphere.
With her backpack bouncing and boots thudding against the dirt path, Geal runs excitedly down the main street, with Uruta flying alongside her. The villagers greet her warmly, as they've all grown fond of her over the years.
"Hi, Geal!"
"How are you?"
"Happy birthday!"
"Hi, everyone! Thanks!"
Realizing something, Geal turns to Uruta.
"Hey, Uruta, are you sure you want to come with me? The journey might be dangerous..."
"Of course I do! I have a dream to fulfill too," Uruta declares.
"Oh yeah? What's that?" Geal asks, tilting her head.
"I'm going to bring glory to my kind! I'll become such a great hero that everyone will know the name of the Spirit Birds," Uruta says, placing a wing on his chest. "Besides, without me, you'd get lost immediately."
"That's not true! I can find my way just fine."
"Then do you know how to get to the capital?"
"Uh… no. Not really."
"You're as impulsive as ever!" Uruta says, frowning. "We should ask someone for directions. They might even have clues about where the Chosen One is."
"Yeah, I was just about to suggest that."
"Liar..."
The two press on toward the edge of the village, both equally eager to see what adventures await. But ahead, an obstacle blocks their path: a group of three thugs, each with intimidatingly colored Crystals, harassing a frail old man. The commotion draws a small crowd.
"Wait, something's happening…"
Geal and Uruta stop in their tracks.
The leader of the group, a bald gorilla of a man in a leather jacket, grabs the old man by the collar. His Crystal is brown, while the old man's is white—a typical scene in the village, unfortunately.
"Hey, idiot, what did I tell you last time?" the thug growls.
"T-That I shouldn't set up my stall here... sir," stammers the old man, trembling.
"Then why is your filthy fruit stand blocking the road?!" he yells, pointing at it. It's set up next to the sidewalk and doesn't even really get in the way. "You know this territory is mine. Most people run off the moment they see my mighty brown Crystal. Do you even know who you're messing with?"
"I-I'm sorry, I haven't been able to sell my goods, and they're about to spoil," the old man stammers, trembling. "You know I'd never disrespect you, sir."
The leader of the thugs raises his fist. Despite the crowd, no one dares to intervene. Geal, however, is determined to step in.
"Geal, let's get out of here," Uruta says, knowing how she tends to act in situations like this and wanting to avoid a bigger problem.
"No... I'm going to defend him," Geal declares.
"What? Don't play the hero! That brute will crush you!" shouts Uruta, now nervous.
But as Uruta protests, Geal is already walking toward the scene, preparing to fight.
"Hey! Are you listening? Wait...!"
The poor old man trembles in fear, eyes shut tight. He knows he doesn't stand a chance and resigns himself to the inevitable as the thug threatens him with a smug grin.
"Those with weak Crystals must obey the strong. If they don't, there are consequences!" the ruffian says, tightening his grip. "I don't even need my Crystal's power to deal with you. I'll take you down with my bare fists!"
"Hey!" Geal interrupts.
Our heroine steps in with her chest puffed out confidently, while Uruta watches in sheer panic. The thug turns his attention to the young girl, visibly annoyed.
"Crystals aren't meant for this," Geal says, her eyes narrowing.
"And who the hell are you, shorty?"
"People with strong Crystals should help and protect the weak, not abuse them," Geal retorts, her expression shifting swiftly from composed to angry.
The thug, now focused on his new target, drops the old man, who falls to the ground. Together with his lackeys, he surrounds Geal, their Crystals at the ready.
"Geal, run! Don't get involved with them. It's not worth it!" the old man pleads.
"I think I know who you are," the thug sneers, cracking his knuckles. "You're that girl with the white Crystal everyone's talking about, aren't you? They say your Crystal is defective—how embarrassing! You're going to pay dearly for insulting me, brat."
He points to himself.
"My Crystal is mine, and I'll do whatever I want with it! Thanks to it, I've had an easy life—everyone fears and respects me!"
"Well, then you don't deserve it!" Geal snaps, sticking her tongue out, further enraging the thug.
"Oh no... Geal, you've really done it this time..." Uruta mutters, trembling.
Enraged, the thug towers over Geal. With the power of his Crystal, he summons a massive hammer—a thick, wooden-handled weapon with a steel mesh head. One blow from it could shatter any skull.
The rest of the gang laughs, ready for the "fun." The townsfolk watch in fear, unwilling to intervene.
"If that's what you think, then come and take it," the thug challenges.
Unfazed, Geal stands her ground, digging into her backpack.
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," he growls.
The thugs burst into laughter, finding the idea of a girl with a white Crystal defeating a muscular man with a brown Crystal utterly ridiculous. Geal and her opponent circle each other, locking eyes like gunslingers about to duel.
In a battle between warriors, the goal is to shatter the opponent's Crystal. Each Crystal holds a weapon that its user can summon for defense. Victory requires strategy and skill—something Geal understands very well.
Taking advantage of her speed, Geal throws a handful of powder from her backpack into the thug's eyes, blinding him. He stumbles back in pain as his lackeys rush to check on him.
"Take that!" Geal taunts, growing cocky.
The brute recovers and glares at the girl with intense anger; the fight has begun.
"You're asking for it, brat! I'm going to crush you!" he roars.
The thug raises his hammer high, slamming it down with all his might. Geal dodges just in time.
"SEISMIC STRIKE!"
The hammer crashes into the ground, creating a fissure and sending tremors through the earth. Geal stumbles from the shaking but narrowly avoids another attack. The blows feel like real earthquakes—short but intense.
"My Quake Hammer is the most feared weapon in this dump," the thug boasts, brandishing it. "I'm going to shatter that pathetic Crystal of yours and teach you a lesson, brat!"
Geal scrambles to her feet and backs away, formulating a plan. Still terrified, Uruta flies to her side.
"Think, Geal! You've never fought a brown Crystal before. Walk away from this fight!" he pleads, flapping frantically.
"Stop worrying, Uruta!" Geal replies.
She rummages through her backpack, a mischievous grin on her face. The bird sighs in frustration and hides in a nearby alley.
"You know there's no opponent I can't defeat," she says confidently.
The thug charges at Geal, hammer raised. As he closes in, Geal chugs the contents of a small glass bottle in one swift motion.
Wiping her mouth with her forearm, she smirks. "That's tasty..." she mutters to herself.
Intent on ending the fight, the thug swings his hammer at her head. But to everyone's shock, Geal leaps to an incredible height, drawing all eyes skyward. She lands gracefully after a series of flips, leaving the crowd stunned.
"What the—?"
The thug attacks again, slamming his hammer repeatedly, but Geal dodges every strike with supernatural speed.
"How are you doing that?" the thug growls, confused.
"I drank an Enhanced Agility Potion! I made it myself," Geal declares.
"An agility potion? Ridiculous!" he scoffs before turning to his lackeys. "Don't just stand there! Grab her!"
Returning to reality, the other two ruffians struggle to catch Geal; however, she leaps high into the air once more. While airborne, she opens a jar filled with ants and scatters them, letting them rain down onto her foes.
"Those are..."
"Ants!!"
"I spent an entire day gathering them! Enjoy the bites," Geal calls out mid-air.
"Damn it!"
"Those are bullet ants! Where the hell did she find them?"
The villains mutter in panic as the ants land on them. Frightened, they fall to the ground, writhing in pain and trying to shake off the insects that are already sinking their mandibles into their skin. Geal appears to be thoroughly entertained, laughing carefree at the chaos. Her amusement only fuels the giant thug's irritation.
"Fight fair, you brat!! All you've done so far is cheat!" the brute yells.
"Don't you know who I am?"
With great agility, Geal lands gracefully on one knee and one fist, like a ninja. Standing tall, she points proudly to herself.
"I'm Geal, the next Chosen One, and I've never won a fight fairly!" she exclaims with a hint of pride.
Fed up with her tricks, the villain delivers a powerful kick to Geal, so precise and strong that it sends blood spurting from her nose and mouth. She rolls across the ground several times before crashing into a wall, where she remains sprawled.
Uruta watches in shock. The brute approaches Geal with a serious expression. No one says a word—it seems this is the end.
"The next Chosen One? Yeah, right."
Geal struggles to get up, blood trickling down her lip and nose.
"Kids like you have stupid dreams, impossible to achieve. But those pathetic illusions crumble when they hit reality!" the villain sneers, gripping his hammer tightly. "Out there, you'll face people as strong and vicious as me. You'll have to beat every single one of us if you want to achieve that dumb dream. But look at you—you can't even stand. And you still want to fight? Foolish!"
Determined to teach her a lesson, the man steps closer and raises his hammer, preparing to deliver the final blow.
"I'm going to give you a hard dose of reality, brat."
Nothing can save our heroine now. As Geal steadies herself slightly, the villain seizes the opportunity and swings his hammer down toward her head. But CLANK! Upon impact, the hammer shatters as if it were made of cardboard. The hammerhead flies off, spinning through the air before landing on the ground. Everyone's eyes widen in disbelief. What just happened?
"What the hell? My Quake Hammer broke! Her body is... indestructible!" the ruffian stammers, staring at the shattered handle in his hands.
"Idiot… My body isn't the problem."
As she says this, the villain drops to one knee, his body trembling. He suddenly seems much weaker.
"What's... happening? My strength is fading!" the thug mutters, baffled.
"When a fighter's physical strength decreases, the power of their Crystal diminishes too," Geal explains, standing up. "The powder I threw at you at the start of the fight was a powerful muscle relaxant. It's been gradually sapping your strength, making your weapon so brittle it broke when it hit me. Now you'll be as still as a rock!" she finishes, her devilish smile returning.
"You little...!"
Drained of energy, the man collapses on the ground like an overturned dog. His Crystal also dims and falls to the ground as a lifeless piece of glass. Grinding his teeth in frustration, he can only watch as Geal approaches with her hands on her hips.
"Pearl Shield!"
A white aura forms around Geal's right arm as she summons the power of her Crystal to manifest a shield. It's small and battered, barely larger than a frying pan, but its centerpiece—a gleaming pearl—shines brilliantly.
"I already told you: my name is Geal! And I am... the woman who will become the next Chosen One!"
With those words, Geal smashes the thug's Crystal with the edge of her shield. The glass shatters into fragments that disintegrate upon contact with the air.
When a combatant's Crystal is destroyed, they lose all its power, and it inevitably reverts to white.
"My glorious Brown Crystal! Nooo!" the thug laments, still sprawled on the ground.
A few seconds later, the Crystal regenerates beside him, now pure white and devoid of power.
The villagers approach angrily, surrounding the group of defeated thugs lying humiliated on the ground. The toughest bullies in town, bested by a passing girl. Shame washes over them.
"How about that? You're back to being a White Crystal like the rest of us," says the elderly man they had disturbed earlier.
"No! Stay away from me. I'll never be one of you! I'm stronger than this!" sobs the thug, crying and trying to kick helplessly.
The elder drops an apple into the villain's mouth to silence him.
"Now it's our turn to give you what you deserve!"
Moments later, the thug and his lackeys are tied up, bruised and battered, with lumps covering their heads. The villagers have finally avenged their tormentors' abuses!
The people celebrate Geal's victory, showering her with praise.
"Thank you so much, Geal! Those scoundrels had been tormenting us for months. We owe you everything," the elder says gratefully.
"It was nothing; I just did what the future Chosen One should do," Geal replies, feigning modesty.
Uruta, now unafraid, emerges from his hiding spot and rejoins his friend.
"You did it, Geal! I knew you could all along!"
"Liar..."
With the village safe and peace restored, the sun begins to set. Up in the sky, Geal rides atop Uruta, who has transformed into a much larger version of himself. They soar over the town, heading north, bathed in the orange glow of the sunset.
"The elder told me the capital is north of here," Geal says. "Let's hurry, Uruta! I can't wait to get there."
"You'd better stay out of trouble in the city! Who knows what kind of villains and crazies we'll run into up ahead," the bird warns.
"Hehehe!"
Uruta propels them toward the horizon, the sun lighting their path as they pass over rooftops. For the first time, they leave the town behind, a sense of adventure filling their hearts.
"Ha! No matter who we fight, no one can escape my traps!" Geal declares as she and her companion fade into the distance.
Thus begins the odyssey of Geal and Uruta. A path filled with danger and all kinds of experiences lies ahead. What other fun tricks will Geal use during her journey? Stay tuned to find out!